Chapter break

He moved through the door careful to avoid eye contact. To admit that he was feeling pain broke him slightly. Especially admitting it to someone he worked with. No not just somebody you work with, his mind objected. Admitting it to Cameron hurt more.

"Would you like a drink? You look cold." That was okay, she thought to herself. Simple question, simple answer.

"Please. Coffee." His voice was bland. Almost completely devoid of any emotion. This worried her.

"So what brings you out here at this time of night? Just out for a drive? Spying?" Damn had she said that out loud. His face gave her the answer she needed.

The kettle signalled that it was ready. Perfect timing she thought as she moved away.

"Dammit Cameron, you know I saw you. What are you playing at!"

House had jumped to his feet and yelled instantly regretting the movement. His face blanched and pinpricks of sweat beaded his forehead. His vision was tunnelling and all he could see was white light. Ohh crap. This isn't good. Nausea swept through him and he gasped. Instantly Cameron was by his side holding him up. No he was sitting down. They both were. House could feel Camerons hand in his jacket pocket.

"Whadreyu doin?" He knew he wasn't speaking clearly. It sounded like he had his mouth full.

"Looking for your Vicodin" Damn where is it… Ah here.. "One or two?"

"Two" House tried to move his hand but the small movement caused his head to spin and the feeling of sickness return. No wait, this time it's for real. He gulped for air.

Cameron grabbed the wastepaper basket and held it in front of him, as he emptied the meagre contents of his stomach. They had had a hard day, eating hadn't been top of his priorities.

"Here. Open your mouth" Cameron placed the pills into his mouth and held a glass up to his dry lips. He drank. Water. Cold. Good. The last thought he had before passing out was that Cameron was still next to him, one hand on his back, another on his good leg, and he felt her leaning back with him until his head touched the arm of the chair. Then, nothing.

House awoke to find himself lying flat upon the couch. Not his couch. As he tried to recall where he was he heard someone breathing in the room. He looked around, but saw nothing but as he looked down he could see Cameron lying on the hardwood floor next to the couch, with not even a pillow or a blanket.

Seeing her lying there tore at House. Not only had she taken care of him last night from what he could remember, but she had stayed with him while he was in pain. Not like Stacy.

"Cameron" he spoke softly so as not to shock her, and giving her a slight shake of the shoulder. He got no response.

"Cameron…..Allison!" The use of her first name did the trick as she woke, startled. She groaned, as her muscles got their revenge on her for the night's abuse.

"House?" She spoke groggily still half asleep

"Yes I'm here…Why don't you go to bed, and I'll wake you for breakfast. Get some decent sleep. In a bed preferably. You know doctors lie about how sleeping on hardwood can be good for you."

She rose as if sleepwalking and walked dizzily into her bedroom. By the lack of sound coming from her room House assumed that she had found her way into bed and was now sleeping soundly. This meant that he could continue to sleep safe in the knowledge that she was comfortable. Wrong. It bothered him that he cared if she was comfortable or not, it was her own fault if she slept on the floor. It's not as if I care for her. She could have been in pain if she slept like that. I was treating her like I would treat a patient. Okay, I treated her how Wilson would treat a patient…Wilson. He needed to phone Wilson. Where did Cameron keep her phone? He caught sight of it from across the room, and using his cane more than usual, he limped his way across to it being careful not to make too much noise.

He dialled the number he knew by heart and waited for Wilson to pick up.

"Hello?" It was a woman's voice. Damn. Julie. "House is that you! James get up. Your boyfriend is on the phone" House cringed.

"What's up? Its 4am!" Wilson's voice was groggy and House gained a perverted sense of pleasure from this.

"Wilson…I have a problem….."

"This problem wouldn't begin with C would it?" House was silent, he could almost hear Wilson's smirk across the line.

"Sort of. You see I'm at her place…."

"What?" Wilson's voice held n edge of shocked disbelief as he moved out of Julies hearing range.

"Nothing like that, I assure you…Its just I needed to talk to her, then I kinda passed out…"

"What! Greg are you okay? What happened? Do you need me to come and pick you up?"

House smiled at his friends over the top concern. Wilson worried to much about him. He wasn't really worth it.

"Yeah I could do with a ride at about 9. My leg isn't too hot at the moment…" He trailed off. Wilson didn't probe further simply saying "Sure see you at nine then.."

He hung up.

House's curiosity was starting to get the better of him, and as he snooped around Cameron's apartment for any potential clues as to her psyche he heard a whimper coming from the next room.

As he neared the door it became clear to House that she wasn't awake. Instead she was mumbling in her sleep, and it was with such sadness in her voice that she whispered. Coming closer House sat on the corner of the bed making sure not to disturb her, and he listened.

"I can't…..I can't go through it again…………..I can't lose another person……I can't cope anymore" Her whisperings were urgent. As if she was having a conversation with herself and wanted to be heard.

"House……I need to go……………I cant stay here any more…………..I cant stand you not wanting me………….I've lost you too………………I'll hurt you too…….I can't………….."Her voice drifted off once more and House was alone with his thoughts again, knowing for sure that she was more damaged than he had previously thought.